The Battle of I-25 between UNM and the New Mexico State Aggies offers the Land of Enchantment a rivalry whose sporting events are often filled with blood, sweat and tears. But throughout the first week of February, Lobos and Aggies alike will shed blood in a different type of rivalry, away from any sports venue.
This week ASUNM Community Experience is hosting the annual Battle of I-25 Blood Drive in a competition with NMSU over which school can collect the most units of donated blood. UNM has partnered with United Blood Services, which will be setting up multiple locations around campus for students to donate, including the SUB and multiple “Bloodmobiles”.
According to ASUNM Community Experience, members of the UNM community donated 357 units of blood during last year’s blood drive, defeating NMSU who donated 230 units.
ASUNM Community Experience Executive Director Amelia Linde said blood drives like this one have a huge impact on the community and the state.
“It’s absolutely valuable and it really does save lives. Each donation can potentially save three lives,” Linde said.
Linde said that in 2014, UNM donated 402 units of blood. She said that she hopes that this year’s blood drive will raise at least 405 units, eclipsing the old record in the process.
Although UNM and NMSU maintain a strong rivalry with each other, Linde said that this event symbolizes a time of year where student governments from both schools come together to make a statewide impact, and that the blood drive battle is all in good fun.
“This event became a really fun way to get people excited about making a difference as well as showing our school spirit,” Linde said.
Senior biology major Thong Pham said, that although blood drives like this are for a great cause, it is still a rivalry between schools.
“It will raise awareness all at the same time, bringing a good name to their respective institutions,” Pham said. “Friendly or not, it’s still a rivalry and of course people are going to get competitive when it comes to school pride.”
Linde said that one major hindrance affecting potential blood donors is a lack of knowledge about restrictions, specifically policies on tattoos.
“A lot of people think that if you’ve had a tattoo in the last year, you can’t donate,” Linde said. “If you’ve had your tattoo at a licensed parlor and it is healed, then you can donate.”
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According to United Blood Services, people are discouraged from donating blood if they have recently had cold or flu symptoms, traveled to a malaria risk area in the past 12 months, are pregnant, are at risk of exposure to HIV or have been in contact with another person’s blood in the past 12 months.
Linde said ASUNM Community Experience is completely focused on community service and has done a great job of organizing the event.
“UNM is a great school as far as getting behind great causes,” Linde said.
Linde confirmed that multiple local businesses will be distributing promotional giveaways as an extra incentive to those who donate. She said that Axis Salon is giving out $25 gift certificates towards any service and 5 Star Burgers is giving all donors a buy one burger, get one free deal. All donors will also receive a free t-shirt celebrating the event courtesy of United Blood Services.
James Lassa, a junior at UNM, said that those who get involved with community events like this show a high level of selflessness.
“Anytime you can get involved on campus and represent your school in a manner like this really shows that regardless of rivalry, we truly want to offer help to others in need,” Lassa said.
More information on the Battle of I-25 and blood donation can be found here, the United Blood Services official website, or by calling New Mexico United Blood Services at 1(800) 333-8037.
Ryan Lotz is a reporter with the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Lotz_DailyLobo.
